Oversight Board

The Board has overturned Meta’s decisions to remove three Facebook posts showing footage of the March 2024 terrorist attack at a concert venue and retail complex in Moscow, requiring the content to be restored with “Mark as Disturbing” warning screens. While the posts violated Meta’s rules on showing the moment of designated attacks on visible victims, removing them was not consistent with the company’s human rights responsibilities. The posts are of high public interest value and should be protected under the newsworthiness allowance, according to the majority of the Board. The posts each contain clear language condemning the attack, showing solidarity with or concern for the victims, with no clear risk of them leading to radicalization or incitement. Suppressing matters of vital public concern based on unsubstantiated fears it could promote radicalization is not consistent with Meta’s responsibilities to free expression. The Oversight Board’s Recommendations The Board recommends Meta: ·     Allow with a “Mark as Disturbing” warning screen [ND2] third-party imagery of a designated event showing the moment of attacks on visible but not personally identifiable victims, when shared in the contexts of news reporting, condemnation and raising awareness. ·     Include a rule under the “We remove” section of the Dangerous Organizations and Individuals Community Standard on designated violent events. It should also move the explanation of how Meta treats content depicting designated events out of the policy rationale section and into this section. For more about the cases and our key findings, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/eCHncnhn #Meta #Facebook #ContentModeration #OversightBoard #HumanRights #Russia

Our Co-Chair, Pamela San Martín, on what we should be holding social platforms accountable for, at this year's Web Summit in Lisbon. Video credit: Web Summit #WebSummit #Meta #socialmedia

Did you know Meta have implemented around 70% of our recommendations since we launched? Live from this year’s Web Summit, Louise Stewart talks about some of our successes and an upcoming case where you can submit your public comments. #WebSummit #Meta #OversightBoard

Our Global Vice President of Communications and Engagement, Louise Stewart, joined Thomas Hughes and Rachael Kennedy on stage at Web Summit to discuss how the Oversight Board and Appeals Centre have brought a new era of accountability to increase safety and freedom of expression online. #WebSummit

Louise Stewart hosted a great roundtable discussion at Web Summit on the highs and lows of independent content oversight, driving change for users, advertisers, journalists, and social platforms, while exploring tough questions about the future of the industry. #websummit

Packed room at Web Summit for a session looking at the new routes for redress with Louise Stewart speaking up for the rights of global users. They make up the majority of Meta’s users and must be prioritized. #websummit Thomas Hughes Richard Earley Pascale Davies

The Oversight Board is delighted to announce Daniel Eriksson as its next Administration Director. He will begin his new role in February 2025.  Dr Eriksson most recently served as CEO of Transparency International, based in Berlin, where as CEO he has shown exceptional leadership in steering the organisation’s global anti-corruption movement, and standing up for basic freedoms. He brings to the Oversight Board Administration a wealth of strategic leadership experience, deep expertise in technology, and a strong commitment to transparency, integrity and freedom of expression. He has played important roles in a wide range of sectors, including governments, civil society, the private sector, and international organizations, including the United Nations.   Dr Eriksson said: “As Artificial Intelligence and digitalization spread further across the world, I believe the Board’s work will become ever more important, and I very much look forward to building on its strong record of success in the years ahead.” Chairperson of the Trust Stephen Neal said: “Following a rigorous recruitment process I am pleased that Dr Eriksson will take up the role of Director of the Board in early 2025. Daniel brings a wealth of leadership and technology experience that will make him an asset to the Board as it continues to build on its important work.” Pamela San Martín, Co-chair of the Oversight Board, said: “We are delighted that Daniel Eriksson will be taking on this important role of supporting, guiding and developing the Board’s ongoing work.  “Having recently secured funding for at least the next three years, the Board is keen to play an even more impactful role in making social platforms work better for users, and we very much look forward to drawing upon Daniel’s deep and vast expertise to achieve our mission.” 

We’re at this year’s Web Summit in Lisbon which kicks off today! Our Board members, Helle Thorning-Schmidt and Pamela San Martin are speaking on panels about keeping social media safe and how governments can work with big tech companies to mitigate risk. Plus, Louise Stewart is introducing a session with Portuguese Foreign Affairs Minister Paolo Rangel, Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel and Time CEO Jessica Sibley as well as many other great speakers. #WebSummit

"We want technology to be used for good. For social media to be used for good. To bring more benefits to more people. To do this, we have to ask tough questions of Meta. That’s not always easy. It’s easier to sweep things under the carpet. But Meta has agreed, voluntarily, to put itself under the microscope in many ways - and that has been an important change." Our Board Member, Pamela San Martin, at Web Summit 2024 #WebSummit

I’m in Lisbon ready for the annual #Lisbonwebsummit I’m looking forward to introducing Tuesday afternoon’s session with Portuguese Foreign Affairs Minister Paolo Ranger, Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel and Time CEO Jessica Sibley as well as many other great speakers. Do say hello if you’re here! #websummit #meta #contentmoderation #online